The Villainess Returns with a System

15: Here Comes the Storm

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(Part 1)

It was a strange day to come across friends and foes on one narrow road but I had to go with the flow and keep it all together. I couldn't risk failing a quest to this System whose existence is veiled in mystery and is the center of all the strange things I have been through.

Even though I was drowning in my nose in problems, I managed to put myself into a new one. I was supposed to get back on my feet in society first but it seems that some people fear not only me getting back, but even me having the chance to do so. With them around every corner, I was at least suspecting some trouble but not to this level of nastiness.

It all started last night when I walked out of the auction house. That night when I was first hit by the storm.

***

—Last Night after the Auction—

Victory!

Small as it was but a victory is still a victory.

Vivian was ready to kick off a celebration because of what happened earlier that night. She fulfilled her mission of knowing who was going to interrogate her and bought the Spirit Lotus, which her father lured her to buy. She even trash-talked to her heart's content and left some deep slaps on some of those who tried to bully her.

"What a time to be alive!" She exclaimed on her way out.

Alas, she can't attend the dinner party after the auction, the De Clare family is famed for their parties but with the Prince and the Heroine around, Vivian must tread carefully.

"Hm? Where is the carriage? I want to go home." Vivian said as she waited with Logan and Esmeralda outside the auction.

Naturally, the employees of the De Clare would call for her carriage to pick her up the instant she came out but it seemed that her carriage driver was absent.

"I'm sure it's nothing. I'll check it out." Logan said as he made sure the area was relatively safe and guarded.

Vivian nodded and naturally stayed in front of the Auction House. The place is safe if not the safest place in the capital after the Royal Palace, half of the nobility are gathered here after all. With most of the nobles at the party, Vivian found a quiet fountain close to the entrance and walked beside it to brood at the tranquil reflection of the moon. Esmeralda was quietly following her.

"Beautiful night, isn't it?" Vivian asked.

"Yes, my Lady." Esmeralda replied.

"How do you find working for me so far?"

"It is... thrilling."

"You're being dishonest."

"Fine, it is worrying. My previous employer was old but quite influential so I've seen my fair share of politics, but with you, my Lady... they are not just forcing their influence, there is hate in their actions." Esmeralda said.

"Sometimes, I think you are too perceptive for your own good." Vivian turned to Esmeralda smiling then turned back at the fountain.

"I apologize if I said anything..."

"It's alright, I like your perspective on things." Vivian said, "There is indeed hate, the unjustified discriminating sort of hate... I never understood why but I think the coming days will unravel the mystery one way or another. Until then, I'll decide whether or not to give them a real reason to hate me. It will be lots of fun I assure you."